Grizzlies put damper on Coquitlam Express winning streak

After getting their BC Hockey League season off to a 4-0 start, the Coquitlam Express will have to start a new winning streak after losing to the Victoria Grizzlies Sunday night.

Despite hurling 40 shots at Grizzlies goalie Michael Stiliadis — 20 of which came in the third period — the home team could only net one goal, a wrist shot off the stick of Will Cook that beat the Victoria net minder stick side.

But Cook’s goal was not enough to spark his team from the two goal deficit it sustained in the first period.

Express goalie Daniel Urbani started the game between the pipes, but was relieved in the second period by Cole Huggins, who was steady the rest of the way.

“Daniel was a little bit nervous,” said Coquitlam coach Jon Calvano. “Anyone in the hockey world knows a young kid’s first game, nerves are going to come in. It wasn’t the night he would have wanted.”

Calvano was quick to point out that Huggins also surrendered two early goals in his first game last season before going on a 12-0 run.

The coach added that the game was not lost because there was a lack of scoring opportunities, noting that his forwards hit the post several times and had lots of shots.

He also said the team’s power play, which has scored seven times on 18 opportunities so far this season, had dried up on Sunday night.

“There are not enough even strength goals,” Calvano said. “If we rely on the man advantages, you can’t guarantee you are going to score every time.”

Coquitlam put on a power play clinic during Friday’s game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

The Express went three-for-four with the extra man to defeat the visitors 6-2.

Coquitlam opened the scoring in the first with a goal from Cameron Marks before the Bulldogs tied things early in the second.

But two power play goals from Express forwards Justin Georgeson and Malcolm McKinney put the home team in command of the game.

Brady Shaw made it 4-1 early in the third and Georgeson added another insurance marker before the power play struck again with a goal from Zachary Pryzbek in the final minutes of the game.

Huggins stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced.

The Coquitlam Express will play their final game at home on Friday against the Surrey Eagles before going on a road trip to Vancouver Island next weekend.